Fonterra Welcomes New Zealand Government’s Confirmation of Safety of Country’s Dairy Products

Fonterra chairman also announces independent review of manufacturing performance of company’s affected whey protein concentrate.

Source: Fonterra

Fonterra today welcomed the New Zealand Government’s confirmation that the quality issue involving whey protein concentrate is confined to the products made from three batches of WPC80 and no other New Zealand dairy products are affected.

"Public safety is Fonterra’s number one priority," Fonterra Chief Executive Theo Spierings said. "When we informed our customers and the Ministry for Primary Industries of the quality issue, we advised them that it was limited to three batches of whey protein concentrate.

"We appreciate the New Zealand Government confirming this to be the case and reiterating the safety of all other New Zealand dairy products, including Whole Milk Powder (WMP) and Skim Milk Powder (SMP), butter and cheese," Spierings added. "Our customers and trading partners have been reassured of this and we are continuing to work closely with the New Zealand Government to ensure that we are communicating accurate messages about product quality and safety."

Fonterra Chairman John Wilson today also announced an independent review of the cooperative's performance at the time of, and following, the manufacture of the affected whey protein concentrate. independent expert advice. Wilson said the scope and terms of reference will be finalized in the coming days, and will cover the period from the time the affected product was manufactured in May 2012 through to the recovery operation.

The potentially affected product is confined to 38 metric tonnes of whey protein concentrate (WPC80) manufactured at a single Fonterra site in New Zealand. This was subsequently used in the manufacture of infant formula, juice and dairy beverages, yoghurt and animal stock food.

"Our customers have worked quickly to locate and secure products that were not in the market and, where they had already reached retail shelves, initiate recalls," Spierings said. "Their fast response has meant that almost all products are now back or on their way back."

For information on recalls taking place in New Zealand, click here. 

Click hear to watch a Fonterra video update on its whey protein ingredient recall.